I often carry my S&W 3" 44 magnum model 629. And for the sake of recoil control and rapidity of rounds fired I often carry it with the new 44 SPL Critical Defense load from Hornady. I also often carry my 2 3/4" Security Six with 158 grain Fiocchi XTP loads.
I began wondering about the difference between these loads based on the shorter barrel lengths and the relatively light 44 SPL bullet weight.
So I did some testing with my chrony (average of 10 rounds).

The Critical defense round clocked in a 165 grain 44 SPL round traveling at 915fps from the 3" barrel and the Fiocchi 158 grain 357 mag round clocked in at 1178 from the 2 3/4" barrel.

The bullet weights are very close. The velocity edge goes to the 357, but the diameter of the round goes to the 44 SPL. I just wish I had gelatin blocks to test expansion of the two rounds.

So, based on this data and ignoring weapon size.

What's your opinion?

Which is "better" ?

P.S. I used the word better loosely for the lack of a more suitable word..

I live in a state where concealed carry is for all intents and purposes, impossible. I am a big guy, but I don’t think I would carry an N frame Smith as a concealed carry piece in any caliber. If I wanted to carry a 3” gun, it would probably be either my 3” Model 60 Pro or SP101. The bulk of an N frame is a nonstarter for me.

While I tend to feel that “real” guns begin with .40 caliber, I am not sure it makes much difference what the size of the hole in the barrel is. Ammo in important, in any caliber, but shot placement is more important.

The gun is quite accurate. Here is a group I shot with 300 grain 44 Mag loads, It is 100 times easier to group even tighter groups with the lighter loads! Pay atention to the recoil and understand why I like the Special loads for this 3" monster,

I also prefer the .44sp over the .357 mag for carry. Recoil is very manageable in the N frame Smith whereas the .357s sharp bark is hard for many people to handle with quick follow-up shots, even in an L frame Smith. JMHO.

Jim......

__________________Dosn't matter what day of the week it is, the best day is the day with your finger on the trigger--jra